How to Get Off a Ski Lift with a Snowboard

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Last Updated: December 28, 2019

To go snowboarding, you'll have to get on and off a lift. To do this, you will need to rent or buy a snowboard package, which consists of a snowboard, bindings, boots, stomp pad, leash, and a helmet. Also, you will need a lift ticket if you plan on going on a lift, which is the only way you can get up the mountain. As a beginner you will likely have no idea how to get on and off a lift. In this you will learn how to successfully get off a lift, not how to get on or how to snowboard.

Steps

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Check large poles that hold up the lift for notices about unloading, such as "Prepare to Unload" Lift the safety bar up when you see that sign. Check to see if you have everything with you.
Sit sideways so that your board is straight out in front of you to clear ramp. Stand up slowly when your snowboard can touch the ground.

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Allow the chair to push you from behind to give you a boost. While being pushed, lean your entire body slightly forward (the front tip of the board), about 3-5 degrees, just enough to actually put some of your weight forward. This will keep you from falling backwards while moving down ramp of the lift. Look UP and straight ahead. Do not look down at the floor, look where you are going. Don’t try to move on your own. Go straight to clear the ramp.
Don't hit your head on the chair. Duck a bit and move away from it. If you do fall try to move out of the way as fast you can.

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How do I know if my ankle is broken?

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You will be in a lot of pain and your foot might be going in a direction it shouldn't be.

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Tips

Some terms to be familiar with:
- Regular- Right foot is in back when you are snowboarding (if you are right handed that doesn’t mean you will be right when you snowboard).
- Goofy- Left foot is in back when you are snowboarding.
- Stomp pad- Grip located in-between the two bindings so you don’t slip while getting off the lift.
- Bindings- attachments that you strap your feet into, to secure yourself onto the snowboard.
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If you are goofy (left foot in back), it is easier to sit on the right side of the chair. This is because you want to have your controlling foot in back of you not in front. (If you are regular, sit on the left side, for the same reason as if you were goofy.)

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Ski lifts can sometimes cause the foot you don't unstrap to get really sore really fast. Putting your free foot under the board can help a surprising amount.

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Warnings

No matter how long, slow, boring, or annoying the lift ride might be CONSTANTLY PAY ATTENTION!!! Suddenly looking up and finding that you have to get off the lift in the next 10 seconds will almost certainly result in some type of falling or injury.

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If riding the lift with someone you don't know, mention to them that you're still in the process of learning. It's perfectly all right to do so, and will alert the other person to give you space.

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